Electrical timing and circuit-closing device



Nov. 11, 24- V I 1,515,369

H. D. SEVISON ELECTRICAL TIMING AND CIRCUIT CLOSING DEVICE Find Nov. 12 1920 Jra/zfn 56 7* W39 mgwmd Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

UNITED STATES BARBIE D. SEVISON, OIE AUBURN, INDIANA.

ELECTRICAL TIMING AND CIRCUIT-CLOSING DEVICE.

Application filed November 12, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRIE D. Snvrson, a citizen of the United States, residin in the city of Auburn, county of De I alb, Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Timing and Circuit-Closing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in ignition systems for internal combustion engines, and more especially to an 1mprovement in a timer designed for use in connection with such systems.

The principal object of my invention is the production of a timer to be used with alternating current type of magneto 0r direct current system designed to effect the ignition of gas or gasoline motors with the use of battery vibrator spark coils or complicated wiring.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character to effect a positive electrical connection when the contact points are closed and only when the sparks are to be produced at the spark plugs, the contact being at all other times 0 en.

A further object of the invention is the production of a device wherein friction produced between the circuit closing devices will prevent corrosion and eliminate foreign matter from the contact points, which frictional contact also prevents pitting or burning of the contact members by the flow of the current when the contact is made or the circuit broken.

A further object of the invention is the production of a device of the character described in which a slight rocking motion is combined with a sliding or reciprocatory movement to effect a wiping contact between the two metal members that make and break the circuit, whereby burning or pitting of the surface thereof from the electrical arc is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for making and breaking an electrical circuit without the use of a condenser bridged between the two make and break members.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character clescribed in which the circuit breaker arm does not ride upon the cam but is engaged thereby only at the time of actual actua- Serial No. 423,541.

tion thereby, whereby wear and friction are greatly reduced.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character described whereby the speed of the motor does not affect or change the time of ignition, for the contact points are positively closed and the spark produced at the 90 degree intervals and maintained throughout the duration of the contact.

Other objects of the invention are mentioned and described herein.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a portion of the device broken away and in section; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the open face of the improved timer for a four cylinder internal combustion engine; Fig. 3 is a view showing one of the make and break members and the position of the cam member when the make and break member is initially affected thereby; Fig. 4 is a view showing the same members in different positions; Fig. 5 is a fragment showing a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an end view of the frame of one of the make and break members; Fig. 7 is a view of one of the contact arms; and Fig. 8 is an end view of the same member.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views on the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 1 indicates the timer casing into which the rotary cam shaft 2 projects, upon which shaft the cam 3 is rigidly secured, the latter being adapted to effect actuation of the make and break members, as hereinafter described. The cam 3 is provided with the embossment 4 which may give a general elliptical configuration to the cam.

In the accompanying illustration a timer or controller for a four cylinder internal combustion engine is shown and in which are mounted four separate and distinct make and break members or systems which are arranged around the cam 3 and spaced equidistant from each other each of which is a replica of the others. The numerals 5, 6, 7 and 8 indicate the four make and break members each of which is mounted for oscillation within the casing 1, as hereinafter described, one only of which will be described. The numerals 9, 9 indicate a plurality of contacts arranged at intervals interiorly ofthe casing 1, each of said contacts being rigidly secured to the inner leg between each contact 9 and the headed innerend of the stud 11 which serves as the mount for the bracket 10, which. space is material for the purpose hereinafter described.

As stated, the make and break units 5, 6, 7 and 8 are alike in'construction, each of which-comprises carrier bracket 16, a contact arm bracket 17, a fiber block 18, and springs 19 and20,theentire unit beingpivotally mounted upon a stud 21 rigidly secured in the end wall of the casing 1. Each carrier bracket 16 comprisessidewalls 22 and 23 which are rigidly aligned and connected by a web or transverse wall 24, the fiber block 18 being rigidly. fastened between the side walls thereof by pins 25, 25, the opposite end of each of said bracket side walls eing suitably apertured at 26 to receive the stud 21. c

Projecting laterally from one end of the bracket wall 23 adjacent the block 18 is a lug or stop arm 27 adapted to project intothe recess 28 formed in the end wall of the casing 1 and which is adapted to be. pressed into engagement with one wall of said recess by the spring '19to limit the inward swing of said bracket, as hereinafter described.

The contact arm bracket 17 may comprise the web portion 29, thetwo spaced side walls 30, 30 projecting angularly therefrom, the contact arm 31 extendingangularly from the web 29, and the contact member 32 rigidly secured to the arm 31, said contact member being adapted to cooperate with the contact 9 011 the bracket 10. The walls 30, 30 of the bracket 17 are vsuitably apertured. at 33, in registration, to pivot-ally mount said bracket upon the pivot pin 34 between the walls 22 and 23 of the bracket16, said pin 34 having its opposite ends secured'in said walls. The bracket 17 is provided also with the aligned apertures 35, 35 formed in the two walls 30, 30, said apertures being engaged bythe stud 21, which aperturesare greater in diameter or size than said stud to enable an oscillatory or rocking movement of the bracket 17 on the'pivot pin 34.

The spring'20 maybe coiled around the pivot pin 34 and has one leg thereof bearing against the ,end of the web 24 of the bracket l6, the other leg of said spring bearing against the inner periphery of the web 29 of thebracket 17, whereby the bracket 17 is normally pressed inward toward the shaft 2, and whereby the stud 21 is caused to engage the side of the bracket aperture 35 most remote from the bracket web 29, as illustrated in ll igi 7 of the drawing.

The bracket spring 19 is coiled around the stud 21 and has one leg thereof engaging the inner periphery or circular face of the casing 1 and against which it bears, the other leg of said spring engaging and bearing against the pin 34, whereby the fiber may have the beveled or sloping faces 36.

and '37 to effect functions hereinafter described.

In operation, the cam boss 4 first engages the inclination 36 of a block 18, thenthe fiat face thereof, and thereafter the inclination 37 of said block, thereby effecting an oscillatory movement of the entireunit 5 during which movement the contact arm31 1s first swung 1nwardly (see Fig. 3) and thereafter a reclprocatory movement thereof is effected. The reciprocatory movement'of the contact arm 31 of the bracket 17 is made possible by the pivotal action of the latter, said pivotal action being limited bythe stud 21 which engages alternately on opposite sides of the aperture 35, first, normally by spring action, as described, and thereafter by,

the action of the cam boss 4on the block 18.

The effect of the oscillation and reciprocatory movemenuof the contact arm 31 is as follows: First, the contact points-9 and 32 are brought into engagement; second,

the contact 32 is drawn across the face of the contact 9 to a point as indicatedin Fig,

4 withthe members positioned as shown, third, as the inclined face of the block 18 slides inwardly upon the edge of the cam boss 4, the contact 32 slides back to the position indicated in Fig. 3.; and fourth, as the cam boss 4 departs from the block inclination 37 the action of the spring19 restores the unit 5 toits normal position, in which the stop lug 27 again engages the wall of the recess 25, and in which position the contact 32 is poised intermediate thehead ofthe terminal stud 11 andthe contact 9.

The body of thecam 3beingn'ormally out of engagement with the blocks 18 has aten; dency' to and does actually off-set any inac curate workmanship which commonly oc curs in the manufacture of devices of this character. This is to say, if the cam shaft 2 is not central with the outer periphery of the flange of the casing 1, the make and break members 5, 6, 7 and 8 will not be operated eccent-rically as the cam boss 4 is ac tuated. This greatly prolongs the life of the make break members, and thereore entire timer mechanism. VYhile ice is particularly desirable for use in i 'nition systems for internal conbustion engines, its use is not confined to this device, for it can be used successfully in any electric appliance wherein the circuit is made and broken with or without the aid of a condenser.

lVhile a perfect embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown and described, for many changes and alterations may be made there- 111 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. The combination with a casing, a plurality of contact members carried thereby, and a rotative embossed cam element, of a plurality of oscillatory spring pressed members mounted within the casing and adapted to coact and to be outwardly actuated by said cam element; a spring pressed contact arm pivotally mounted upon each oscillatory member and projecting therefrom into proximity with one of said contact members to make and break a circuit, said contact arm being adapted to be swung simultaneously witn the actuation of said oscillatory member l y said cam element, whereby said contact arm is first swung into yieldable engagement with one of said casing contact members and thereafter moved across the face thereof to effect a wiping contact therewith; and stop means adapted to be engaged by said spring pressed contact arm when the latter is disengaged from said casing contact member.

2. The combination with a casing and a rot-ative embossed cam element, of a plurality of oscillatory elements adapted to co- F 't wt in 1 said cam element and to be outwardly actuated thereby; a yieldable conarm carried by and projecting from of said oscilatory elements to make o. brea I a circuit, said contact arm being ated to swing toward the center of said when said oscillatory element is outwardiy actuated by said cam; and a. contact to c act .vith each of said contact arms, said contact being arranged intermediate the contact arm and said cam element and adapt-- ed to be engaged by said contact arm upon the outward actuation of said oscillatory element.

The combination with a casing and a rotative embossed cam element, of a plurality of oscillatory elements arranged around said cam element and adapted to coact therewith, said elements being spring pressed toward said cam element; a yieldable contact arm carried by and projecting a: gularly from each of said oscillatory ele ments to make and break a circuit, said contact arm being adapted to swing inwardly of said casing when said oscillatory element is outwardly actuated by said cam; and a contact to coact with each of said contact arms.said contact being arranged intermediate the contact arm and said cam element and adapted to be engaged by said contact arm upon the outward actuation of said 0scillatory element, whereby, upon causing a full oscillation of said oscillatory element, said contact arm is caused to engage said contact and to effect a reciprocatory movement upon the face thereof.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this tth day of November, 1920.

HARRIE D. SEVISON. 

